Naval Evolutions: or, A system of sea-discipline; extracted from the celebrated treatise of P. L'Hoste, Professor of Mathematics, in the Royal Seminary of Toulon; confirmed by experience illustrated by examples from the most remarkable sea-engagements between England and Holland; embellished with eighteen copper-plates; and adapted to the use of the British Navy. To which are added, an abstract of the theory of ship-building; an essay on naval discipline, by a late experienced sea-commander; a general idea of the armament of the French Navy; with some practical observations; by Christopher O'Bryen, Esq; Lieutenant in His Majesty's Navy.

London: W. Johnston, 1762. 4to. viii, 90, (2)pp. b/w folding plates.

This is the first English translation of Hostes Art des Armées Navales, originally published in Lyons in 1697. It is the first book on naval tactics printed in the English language. Eighteen magnificent folding engraved plates illustrate naval maneuvers and tactics. The last two pages provide a list of Ships lost by the English during the Present War - presumably the Anglo Spanish War of 1762 -1763 - and an errata. On page 65 in the article entitled To form a line, Hoste stresses the importance of the strength of the center of the line for if that is forced, or broke through, the battle is looked upon as lost. Corbett references this statement in his seminal work, "Signals and Instructions", (London, 1908), describing OBryens Naval Evolutions as the first work printed in English to refer to Breaking the Line. A&W 2150. Bound in contemporary marbled boards rebacked in green calf. A handsome copy. (Inventory #: 41340)